In order to resolve an antitrust lawsuit pertaining to its Play Store policies, Google reached a settlement in September with the attorneys general of all 50 US states, as well as the District of Colombia and the territory of Puerto Rico. The terms of that settlement, which include a $700 million payment from the business, were finally made public by Google this week.
Of that amount, $630 million, Google said in a blog post, will go "into a settlement fund to be distributed for the benefit of consumers according to a Court-approved plan". The remaining $70 million will be deposited into a different fund that the states may utilize.
Along with the payment, Google also committed to altering some Play Store guidelines. One has to do with Android devices and sideloading apps. Google said that it will make it easier for users to sideload apps. Additionally, it will provide Android "users with information about these potential risks of downloading apps directly from the web for the first time."
Additionally, Google revealed that it will permit publishers and developers of Android apps to provide a "differential billing option alongside Google Play’s billing system for their U.S. users." Moreover, "different pricing options within the app when a user makes a digital purchase" will be another feature available to Android developers.
With this settlement, Google will be able to continue competing with other OS providers, enhance Android's flexibility and choice, and continue to invest in the Android ecosystem for developers and users. Additionally, robust security measures will be maintained. We are happy to have settled our legal dispute with the states and proceed with a settlement.
Before they formally take effect, the courts must still approve both the settlement funds and the new modifications.
Only a few days have passed since a jury rejected Google in a case that was similar to this one involving the developer Epic Games. Now, the public can see that Google and the US state attorneys general have reached a settlement. The jury agreed with Epic's assessment that Google's Play Store on Android smartphones constituted an unlawful monopoly. Google has declared that it will challenge the jury's verdict.
